I also have had good rooster, ( one was a welsummer "Jake", a buff orpington "Winston". But like many others there have been some mean ones. I had a Golden Polish whom we nicknamed "Leroy Brown" just like in the song. He would come after anything or anybody, when I had had my fill of being a gladiator ( you know defending yourself with the metal lid off the feed can) lol he was put down. I also had three Rhode Island Red roosters that were horrible. But I have had many good ones, so I do think it depends more on breed and personality. That being said I generally pick breeds that I think will make good roosters, I do not handle them unless it's after dark and I need to treat them with medication, dust them etc. I feel like if they can't see me and I do not talk to them and just take them off the roost, treat and put back they have no idea to think it's me doing anything. Naturally I do not talk when I am doing these things so there is no recognition. Seems to work well for me. All of my roosters and hens will go back in their pen after free ranging at the sound of me opening their door to the coop and rattling the metal can lid. I teach them this when they are very young so I can put them up if necessary. All in all I do think it would be hard to be without a rooster in the flock, their beauty, ability to give you hatchable eggs and the crowing I feel are worth it. Right now my only rooster is a 10 month old Bielenfelder ( whom I named Hans) who hasn't started crowing yet, but boy is he huge for 10 months. Seems like he will be a good rooster.
